Douglas Borough Council have announced that passenger numbers on the Horse Tramway during 2014 rose by 3.6% with approximately 62,000 passengers carried during the season, which ran from May until September. At a time when the future of the line is in some doubt with proposals to move the tracks to either the side of the Prom road or on the walkway itself still up in the air this is pleasing news and reverses the trend which has developed for many years.
The Council have said that the increase is down to more cruise visitors and coach package holidays enjoying a ride on the unique attraction. There was also a significant social media campaign and it probably didn’t hurt the figures that 2014 was the last chance to enjoy a ride on the tramway ahead of its hoped for) temporary closure and relocation of the tracks.
However although more passengers were carried the worrying news is that the service still managed to run at a £250,000 loss.